“AN EVIL ANGEL”

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20493, 9 May 1938, Page 12

“AN EVIL ANGEL”

(By JOHN MIDDLEMASS.)

An Exciting Mystery Story.

CHAPTER Vl. .Continued.) Philip Morley! This man knew Philip Morley. Had seen him lately— Could tell thpni where he was, and perhaps hr able to give some account "f what effect, recent occurrences had had on the man. who was so unjustly suspected of a foiil crime. For of course the accusation was unjust. Philip Morley. impetuous and jealous though she knew he was, was incapable of committing any act, which would even endanger the life of a fellow man. Much less would with premeditation sully tiis own soul with a deed of murder.” Thus excitedly ar*ruin* with herself, Nina left the library where the telephonic apparatus had been fTxed, and returned to the boudoir. What Gervasc .VCourt had failed to read on her face Marie say at a srlanre. 4 Grarlou«, Nina, what has he been saying to >ou —you look quit** flustered Not a proposal of marriage, cb ’ It would be funny through a telephone. Is he coming at five o'clock ?*’ * itehehted. and he has asked to brtnz a friend ” Who? Of course you said ‘No,* I do not want to sec strangers.” ' On the contrary I said >es. His friend is* also Morley’*, and has been with him abroad.” Marie became white as death, but idle asked in a very quiet voice. Where has be left Philip Morley?” 1 do not know; that he must tell you turnself. Ido not even know who he is. Gervase A'Court was not very communicative.” Three hour* fill f! .*e o’clock—three mortal hours of suspense and mental agony to both the girls, and when at last five o'clock struck, and a hansom quite punctually drove up to the hall door, it was difficult to say which of the two was fl»e more nervously excited. though both managed to a great extent to conceal feeling. Marie had for the occasion garbed herself in a rlinging Mark tea gown, which made her small sad fats, as it had become of late, look whiter and sadder than ever. Nina was in white and in contrast her cheeks were glowms with a colour so bright, that it gave a suspicion of unreality, while her eye* were bright and sparkling. More than was even usually the case did Nina's beauty eclipse ‘lie more moderate claims to good looks possessed by the little sorrowing heiress. t> the richly carpeted staircase Hie tread of manly feet was barely heard, then the door was opened and “Mr A'Court. ami Mr Hamilton Browne,” were announced. Marie Cooper rose from a half recumbent position f»n the sofa, and went forward to greet them genially, excusing Hie absence of her mother who had gone to Brighton for a few days. Then sUe turned to Nina. Why ! did she not come forward j A’Court was holding out Ids ifand to j her, but she did not attempt to lake j it. Her large lustrous eyes were i fixed on the stranger, who returned j glance for glance, but before a word of explanation could be asked or ! given. Nina Fonblanque had fallen on | the floor in a dead faint. CHAPTER VII Tha Rousing of Marie Hamilton Browne gathered Nina tip In his arms, much as a mother would

gather up a fallen child, and laid her on the sofa. It was evident from the way he thus ministered to her that he was a man not only accustomed to deal with the exigencies of life, but a good Samaritan to boot. t.ervase A*Court stood looking on quite helplessly, while .Marie ran about I in an aimless way, searching for eau j de Cologne and salts everywhere, but i where they were. Hamilton Browne’s extemporised fan and soothing touch restored the fainting girl before either of these adjuncts, or the maid who had been summoned arrived. When Nina opened her eyes they looked into Hamilton Browne s face. >he at once closed them again, and a slight shiver passed over her recumbent form. This sign of latent fear did not escape turn- lie bent over her, whispered one word into her ear, so deftly that no one else heard, or even obser%ed the movement. As by magic Nina’s cheeks became crimson once more, and the hot blood coursed sud- • denly, almost dangerously, to her brow. She made an effort to rise, but as if he were indeed some kindly physician he laid his hand on her shoulder, and forbade her to stir for a while. Then he passed from the sofa to the hearlhrugr saying as he did so—- “ All, here is the maid —my services are no longer required, and as I think Miss Cooper will scarcely under the circumstances care to be any longer bothered by the society of an outsider, I will take my leave, and .if she permits. look in to-morrow for the intended chat.” Marie Cooper only grasped th 6 hand tie held out to her. hut she did not speak, she was too bewildered. By I lie time she recovered her scattered senses lie was gone. As he passed out he looked towards A’Court, as though expecting he would accompany him, but that ycning man had a mind to see something more of this drawing-room drama, and he loitered as though hoping he would be invited to stay. Very feebly from among her pillows, where she had been so cosily laid by Browne, Nina murmured. Ho stop, and talk to Marie, Mr iVHourl. 1 am better now, and 1 don’t waul you to go away.” “I wonder what made you so suddenly ill.” he said, curiosity prompting the query. Nina, however, was not a person • easily lo be drawn. ' W ho shall say why sudden illness comes.” she answered. ”1 am better. which is 111 • • chief point. You, my poor little Marie, seem worse Ilian I am. So sorry for troubling you, dearie. Give Mr A’Courl some tea. and forget this foolish little episode.” “Pitv Mr—what is his name, went away, hilt I was so taken aback bv Nina s illness. I could not JTnd words lo stop him.” said Marie, who was slowly recovering her equanimity. "Never mind, dear, he is coming to-morrow and jtru will have him all to yourself. as I have promised to go to Wimbledon, and help Lady Alice Paxton to arrange some gifts for the poor.” she intended to be out of the j way when Mrowne came." Gervase A’Court was more intrigued than ever, for 11. trli Marie uttered no exclamation. he could see from the expression on her face, that she had not previously been made acquainted with this proposed visit to Wimbledon. For a time they .hank tea. ate rich cake, and'-talked banalities, none, of which for a while led on to flip subject that was in each mind, till A’Court who was railed artistic, hut was realty feminine in his fasten. began lo describe a toilette, that had taken his fancy at the opening of the Miniature exhibition, and remarked, apparently quite incidentally, that Madame Franc;ne was its creator. Whether he had heard anything about the fatal mistake in connection with the wedding dress did not transpire, but the name of Madame Franrine having set Marie all a«low with excitement, .without stopping to consider whether it was or was not wise, she told the story in a considerably exaggerated and embroidered form, so interesting the young man. who loved to be closely connected with a society scandal, that she at once made him not only a staunch coadjutor, but also her abject slave. “This—this mere needlewoman had the audacity to talk to you about poor Vesey s former loves—as if a man—if he were a man at all, could reach the ripe age at which he. poor dear fellow, had arrived, without ever having fancied any woman.” But this one particular woman to whom she alluded —do you think she was herself that woman. Mr A’Court 1 ” “Certainly not. What was she like ?” "I could not see. It was nearly lark, and she wore a black lace veil of large pattern.” That locks suspicious, but from what I have heard of the girl to whom the alluded. I should think she was Hie last person in the world to lend herself to such a contrivance for extorting your pity.” • You knew that lady?” “Never saw her in my life, but that »he is a gentlewoman, I have every | *eason to Relieve —some cousins of nine came across her in Paris, where ihe was being educated for a go\erness. When Vesey died, they remembered the little girl, who had unused them by being so spoony on ilm some years before?” “She had no money?” "True, and I fancy that was the -eason Vesey never married her, though from what I heard. I think the love was far more on her side than 5n his. that he had fancied her In the first Instance, but grew tired of her simplicity, while she worshipped him. Long before he died I believe he had entirely ceased to communicate with ler.” "Poor little girl. What is her name?” asked Marie, who became nore and more exsited as A’Court gave these various scraps of information. “Norris, I think. Her father was i yeoman farmer in the north somewhere, but 1 do not think he found igriculture very profitable." “I should like to make her acquaint>nce.’ said Marie, speaking quickly md with heightening colour. "We :ould weep together, shed tears »nough to water the cypresses over >oor Vesey’s grave. Do get her adlress for me, Mr A’Co-urt.” ,To be continued.)